Advice on Endo

Hi everyone,

I am about to undergo a lap (hopefully in Feb) to see if I have endo. Basically we have been TTC since Aug 2007 and I have been pg once but m/c at 6 weeks in Nov 2007. Been trying ever since with no luck. Our FS is very keen for me to have it done. DH and I have had heaps of tests done and everything else seems to be in 'working' order so this is our next step before trying IVF.

I have a number of symptoms of endo and I have read it can be misdiagnosed as IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) which I was diagnosed with about 6 or 7 years ago. I manage this condition quite well except when it gets to AF time, then I gets it really bad. Obviously I don't want to have endo but at the same time I really want a reason/answers as to why we are having so much trouble (iykwim). Plus I am hoping it can be fixed (at least in the short term) so we can fall pg with our forever baby :)

If I do end up having endo I just wondered if I could maybe hear some stories of other ladies who have had the lap and had scarring removed and then fallen pg? And how long after? I know there are varying degrees of endo and it is different for everyone but I guess I just need to be inspired!

Sorry to everyone who has to endure this terrible condition but it is nice to see so many women suffering from endo have gone on to have their 'miracle' babies :)

Hi Mel,
I had a moderate amount of endo removed a little over six weeks ago and although I am not pregnant yet, I just had my first AF since the lap and it was much better. A lot less pain, no back pain and a better flow of AF. I was definitely worth it.

I also had endo removed in 2004 and went on to get pregnant in june 2005. (It took about 6 months). DS was born in March.

GL with your Lap and I hope you get some answers.

Hi Mel1979.
I had endo diagnosed with a lap at the age of 20. I was told it wasn't a really severe case but that it had reduced my fertility by 25%. Up until then I had experienced chronic pain during my cycles . My gyno at the time said I'd probably need a lap another 5 years after that one and that I'd probably experience a hard time getting pregnant.

I never really suffered anymore pain after the lap and to this day have never had to go and have another lap. I'm 36. I got pregnant with my DD the first go of TTC - I was totally gobsmacked and unprepared as I'd planned the TTC with the thought it was going to take a year of trying before we had to seek a FS thanks to the gynos words years prior.

I also have another friend who had PCOS very badly and was always told she'd have issues falling. She had a couple of laps and fell pregnant first go a couple of years after her lap.

I'm not sure how long you have to wait before TTC agaiin after a lap but I'd say your chances will be greater if they do have any scarring to remove.

We have been TTC for a year now for our second but don't think it's linked in anyway to endo. Is probably just age (I'm 36, husband is 40) and fitting in the appropriate times around a 4 year old.

I wish you a short TTC journey.

Thanks Sandygirl. It's just good to know that if I do have it and have the scarring removed then there is a good chance I will fall pg (hopefully with our forever baby). That's all DH & I want! Less pain around AF would just be an extra bonus!

Good luck with TTC and thanks for sharing your story with me :)

Hi Zigzag,

Thanks for your story. I have always experienced really painful periods (some months worse than others) but always thought it was normal to have that much pain? IBS symptoms and really bad bloating (to the point where my trousers hardly fit me!) around AF is also as bad as the pain.

We feel pg on our 2nd cycle of TTC but then I m/c at 6 weeks and it is now nearly 15 months later and no luck. I am thinking there has to be reason? Not that I want endo but if it is a matter of removing the scarring for me to fall pg then I would be ok with having it. Plus it would answer a lot of my questions about all these symptoms I have had over all these years. I thought I was just a wimp with my period pain.

Good luck on your TTC journey, I hope it happens for you soon!

Mel, I was diagnosed with severe endo in March 05 and was told I'd never be able to conceive naturally because the endo had blocked up both my tubes. My left ovary was attached to my bowel and endo was riddled throughout my pelvis which was all removed in the lap.

It took 2.5 years but I ended up falling pregnant naturally in September 07 and now have my beautiful little boy.

I also experienced really, really bad period pain from the time I started getting periods. Painful enough to have to take time off school and work, etc. Like yourself, I also thought it was "normal" for me and that some girls just have ****ty periods and I was one them. After the lap, my painful periods pretty much disappeared, then about a year later I started to get a little bit of period pain which I would consider as normal. So, no you're not a wimp!

All the best for your lap, I hope you find some answers soon hun. Good Luck xx

Hi there

I am 35 and have had bad period pain since I got my periods at age 11. The last few years have seen me suffer 2-3 weeks a month with terrible pain usually resulting in time off work. I also have cycles anywhere from 30-50 days. We have been TTC for close to 18 months with no luck.

I had a lap beginning of December where they diagnosed endo which had attached my bladder and bowel to my uterus. I had another lap last week to remove it and whilst they got it all, they had to remove about 10cm of my bowel as well. Thankfully no endo on or near my ovaries and tubes. A big operation and I'll be off work for a few weeks yet, but my Doc expects me to fall pregnant naturally and said to start trying as soon as I feel better.

Its a long journey which I know you are on too, but well worth it in the end by the sounds of some of the success stories here.

I wish you all the luck in the world!:D

Hi LW17,

Thanks so much for sharing your story, it sounds like you have been through a hard time. :(

I hope you recover quickly from your operation so you can continue your TTC journey and get a BFP soon!

Best of luck :)